PSAL football's Top 5 newcomers this season
Eagle Academy quarterback Martin Koppelman attempts pass during a game against Long Island Lutheran on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Every fall, the PSAL showcases new talent ready to make a big impact. This season’s newcomers have wasted no time proving they belong with the city’s top talent.
Joseph Bido, Stuyvesant (Manhattan)
In his varsity debut, Bido has been a big factor in Stuyvesant’s unexpected success. The defensive back leads the PSAL in interceptions with five and has helped the defense record back-to-back shutouts the past two weeks to remain unbeaten in league play.
“He came to us this year for his first season,” Stuyvesant coach Mike Tauber said. “He’s a coachable kid, has excellent ball skills and is a great team player. He has great cover skills, and when the ball is in the air, he has a great eye for it.”
Bido also has 15 tackles and two defensive touchdowns this season. At wide receiver, he added a 32-yard touchdown reception in last week’s 39-0 win over Cardozo.
Martin Koppelman, Eagle Academy II (Brooklyn)
After playing junior varsity at St. Anthony’s last year, Koppelman transferred to Eagle Academy and has thrived. He has registered 1,045 yards through the first eight games of the season.
“He’s calm and cool,” Eagle Academy II coach Kyron Jones said. “He leads by example. He’s cool under pressure, he doesn’t get too high or too low — he goes out there and just works.”
He shares quarterback duties with Aaron Smith, a combination that has helped Eagle Academy II score 50-plus points four times this season and averages more than 48 points per game in PSAL 4A competition through the first five games.
Amadou Samake, John F. Kennedy (Bronx)
In his first varsity season, Samake has been one of the most productive players for the Knights and has brought a spark to their offense as they face one of the most challenging schedules in the city.
“This is only his second year playing football,” JFK coach Alex Vega said. “He knew nothing about football — we had to teach him how it all worked. He’s still learning the game, and every week he gets better.
“He is very coachable, he listens and he is naturally fast. With him, the sky is the limit. He’s a kid we haven’t even scratched the surface of yet in terms of what he can be.”
The running back totaled 158 yards and two touchdowns last week in a 26-12 loss to defending 4A champion Curtis.
Cole Scanlon, Brooklyn Tech
Last season, Brooklyn Tech won the 3A championship. This year, the Engineers moved up to 4A, and Scanlon stepped in as their new quarterback. So far, he has delivered. He ranks second in the PSAL with 914 passing yards in league play through just four games.
“He’s been able to help us move the ball down the field well,” Brooklyn Tech coach Brian Pugh said. “He has a tremendous arm. Against New Dorp, he had a 50-yard throw where his arm strength was unbelievable. His ability to extend a play and get the ball deep downfield is tough for a defensive back at any level.”
Last week, he threw three TDs in a come-from-behind win over New Dorp to keep Brooklyn Tech in prime position in the 4A playoff hunt.
Ahmed Toure, A. Philip Randolph (Manhattan)
Toure transferred in from Cardinal Hayes and has put together a monster season for APR. Last year’s top playmaker, Travis Gamble, transferred to a school in Florida, leaving the Cougars without a top running back.
“He brings positive energy and has a team-first mentality,” A. Philip Randolph coach Eric Perlowitz said. “He’s been a perfect fit for our program. He gets it done in the classroom and on the field and has been amazing for us.”
In league play, Toure has eight rushing TDs — the second most in the 3A division — and averages more than 14 yards per carry. He also plays linebacker and has been a huge part of Randolph’s undefeated 3A season, including big performances in non-league games against Chaminade and Yonkers Force.
